Encouragement for the Disheartened Momma
We’ve all been there; we’ve all had bad days. With toddlers or pregnancy it’s just part of the gig to have some of “those days”. It is common to deal with meltdowns (your own or your child’s), it’s reasonable to have a bad attitude at times, it’s understandable to get frustrated or irritated with a disrespectful child.
I have been there. I have let my anger get the best of me even toward my three year old. I have yelled. I have cried. I have spanked out of loss for other disciplinary actions. Overall, I’ve responded out of sinful anger. And those responses produced... well... nothing!
Mommas, keep your head up. Your job is hard. Your job as a mom alone is so hard! And that’s not your only job (whether you stay home or not); you have other jobs too. All of which are greatly affected by your performance as a mother. Though I have not been a mom all that long myself, my encouragement to you is to look at the big picture. In those moments of hopelessness try to remember that your kids won’t always be so little.
In the hard days remember that everyday is different and each day is a blessing.
It doesn’t feel like a blessing but I assure you; you will not reap a harvest if you do not put in the work. The work is: raising your beautiful children to be respectful, responsible and overall just not suck. But seriously! That’s a difficult job because looking at society; it’s clear that not every mom is reaping a harvest.
I love how we are called in James 1:19 to “be slow to speak and slow to become angry.” We are not being told to hold our tongue now so we can really lash out later. Instead, we are being called to be more like Christ (Romans 9:22, “even though God has the right to show his anger and power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls”).
Our calling is to be patient. In that patience we will learn to see clearer the places that are truly problems and have a less erratic approach to handling those problems.
So when you’re trying to be patient or feeling defeated or just downright angry just think of the big picture. Remind yourself of someone you’d never want your child to be like (an ax murderer, a bank robber, etc) and take heart; your work now is producing adults that don’t suck later.
It’s a daily reminder that our God is not slow as I understand slowness but he is patient (2 Peter 3:8-9). And He will be patient in the outcome of our children but the first person that gets to display God’s mercy and love to your kids is you!
Show yourself a little patience. This is not the end. You are doing good and if don’t think you are (doing good) every day is a new day to start fresh!
